Pye Black Box - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

splintercat · 2nd Apr 2018, 5:31 pm

Wow can't believe a forum exists... thank goodness it does too, and this is my very first post.

Just getting back into "vinyl" and already in trouble.

Bought a Pye Black Box, good place to start, and a good price I hope. It has a Garrard deck and in trying to identify it I can't find any numbers or marks, other than the platter is an Autoslim and that the stylus is marked as LP/S ST15 on one side and LP/S on the reverse.

Here's the rub. Is this the correct stylus as I would like to put in a new one initially as I explore, and secondly and more importantly, there is NO CENTRE SPINDLE for the records... The seller did not have one, either a single or multiplay, and was/is using a whittled down improvised piece of WOOD, Ouch

Still, I applaud his improvisation skills and it played well enough for me to buy it. So a little help need initially to sort out these problems.
Thank you and any help offered will be truly welcome.
Splintercat

Ed_Dinning · 2nd Apr 2018, 8:02 pm

Hi, as part of your renovations it would pay to have the amp checked over as there are about 5 caps in there that can go leaky and cause expensive damage to the amplifier.
Otherwise they are a nice player.

Ed

ukcol · 2nd Apr 2018, 8:11 pm

Hi Splintercat,

You may find the information you need to identify your BB model in this thread.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=137233

leslie5555 · 2nd Apr 2018, 8:40 pm

Welcome, you have come to the right place, lots of info on here about Pye Black Box record players and lots of people who know all about them.

From the description you give with the autoslim Garrard deck this sounds like its as BB/A version, the one with the four speakers and is the best of the last version with the valve line up before they changed to transistor amps.

As Edward says there are many caps that should be replaced if they haven't already as they may cause very expensive damage to the output transformer .

If you can post some pictures it would be more helpful to identify what you have.

Audio1950 · 2nd Apr 2018, 8:48 pm

No, you're not in trouble, I wish all our problems were as easy to solve as yours!

Firstly, if it says "Autoslim" in the centre of the turntable, then that's the model of the deck. It seems that the original mono cartridge has been replaced with one that will play stereo records without harm, which is a good thing. Click on the link below to find a replacement stylus. As to the spindle, they are not hard to find, try an ad in the "wanted" section of this forum. You can get two spindles for the Autoslim, the tall one for automatic play, and a short one for playing records manually.

Do please take the above advice regarding the replacement of the capacitors. I've seen the result of ignoring it!

https://www.musonic.co.uk/index.php?...ex&cPath=1_126

splintercat · 3rd Apr 2018, 2:54 pm

Wow.thanks for the welcome and all the information.

The seller of my B/B informs me that he did a service on this two years ago and did indeed change a valve in order to get it working. apart from the spindle it does seem okay.

The capacitor dilemma scares me a little not because of my fear of electrics/electronics nor of my soldering skills but just because this is my first project and I don't wont to botch things. Am going down the get a new stylus/new spindle arms first then after securing the relevant manuals think I will try to strip it down SLOWLY in order to attempt a gentle/sympathetic service.

Will try to stay in touch.

splintercat · 3rd Apr 2018, 8:11 pm

Am sure that with the little that i have already learnt/gained on this forum that someone somewhere has written/recorded a guide to a restoration/service for the above, if so I would be really interested in reading it for guidance...
Rather than go in head first as I usually do

AC/HL · 3rd Apr 2018, 8:31 pm

I'm not aware of a restoration guide as such, but using the search button at the top of the page will find many threads about this player.

If you can take a good photograph of the underside of the amplifier chassis it will greatly assist any advice.

Half a Mullard · 3rd Apr 2018, 9:24 pm

There are various versions of the Black Box as others have mentioned. My own version also has the Autoslim deck and uses a pair of PCL83 output valves. Earlier versions used EL42 output valves, if you could post a picture it would help.

Without wanting to pre-empt an identification, this is part of the under chassis of the version I have. I should stress that this is pre restoration.

You mentioned that the seller had stated that the player had been serviced. This may or may not have included the amplifier and it’s very important that certain components are replaced to avoid expensive damage. As Bill has said some good photographs would be a big help.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 3rd Apr 2018, 10:39 pm

I have a spare Garrard Autochange spindle, which, AFAIK, came from an Autoslim deck. If 'splintercat' would like it, he can have it for the cost of postage. PM me your address details, Splintercat, and I'll post it on to you.

splintercat · 4th Apr 2018, 5:58 pm

To Livewire.......wow that really is quite courteous of you, am on a few forums, mainly classic mini ones, and I must say my first impression of this one is unbelievably kind an d and generous ..thank you all.
Yes I'd love your spare spindle. I will try and sort out the PM thing now.
Thank you all again

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC/HL

I'm not aware of a restoration guide as such, but using the search button at the top of the page will find many threads about this player.

If you can take a good photograph of the underside of the amplifier chassis it will greatly assist any advice.

Right I will get around to doing that when I get to strip it down.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Half a Mullard

There are various versions of the Black Box as others have mentioned. My own version also has the Autoslim deck and uses a pair of PCL83 output valves. Earlier versions used EL42 output valves, if you could post a picture it would help.

Without wanting to pre-empt an identification, this is part of the under chassis of the version I have. I should stress that this is pre restoration.

You mentioned that the seller had stated that the player had been serviced. This may or may not have included the amplifier and it’s very important that certain components are replaced to avoid expensive damage. As Bill has said some good photographs would be a big help.

Yep thanks for the advice I most definately take photos as i begin the restoration/service and can see your point about having them as a reference point when seeking advice...

2nd Apr 2018, 5:31 pm	#1
splintercat Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Northampton, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 5	Pye Black Box Wow can't believe a forum exists... thank goodness it does too, and this is my very first post. Just getting back into "vinyl" and already in trouble. Bought a Pye Black Box, good place to start, and a good price I hope. It has a Garrard deck and in trying to identify it I can't find any numbers or marks, other than the platter is an Autoslim and that the stylus is marked as LP/S ST15 on one side and LP/S on the reverse. Here's the rub. Is this the correct stylus as I would like to put in a new one initially as I explore, and secondly and more importantly, there is NO CENTRE SPINDLE for the records... The seller did not have one, either a single or multiplay, and was/is using a whittled down improvised piece of WOOD, Ouch Still, I applaud his improvisation skills and it played well enough for me to buy it. So a little help need initially to sort out these problems. Thank you and any help offered will be truly welcome. Splintercat

2nd Apr 2018, 8:02 pm	#2
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: Pye Black Box Hi, as part of your renovations it would pay to have the amp checked over as there are about 5 caps in there that can go leaky and cause expensive damage to the amplifier. Otherwise they are a nice player. Ed

2nd Apr 2018, 8:11 pm	#3
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: Pye Black Box Hi Splintercat, You may find the information you need to identify your BB model in this thread. https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=137233

2nd Apr 2018, 8:40 pm	#4
leslie5555 Heptode Join Date: May 2015 Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK. Posts: 692	Re: Pye Black Box Welcome, you have come to the right place, lots of info on here about Pye Black Box record players and lots of people who know all about them. From the description you give with the autoslim Garrard deck this sounds like its as BB/A version, the one with the four speakers and is the best of the last version with the valve line up before they changed to transistor amps. As Edward says there are many caps that should be replaced if they haven't already as they may cause very expensive damage to the output transformer . If you can post some pictures it would be more helpful to identify what you have.

2nd Apr 2018, 8:48 pm	#5
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,761	Re: Pye Black Box No, you're not in trouble, I wish all our problems were as easy to solve as yours! Firstly, if it says "Autoslim" in the centre of the turntable, then that's the model of the deck. It seems that the original mono cartridge has been replaced with one that will play stereo records without harm, which is a good thing. Click on the link below to find a replacement stylus. As to the spindle, they are not hard to find, try an ad in the "wanted" section of this forum. You can get two spindles for the Autoslim, the tall one for automatic play, and a short one for playing records manually. Do please take the above advice regarding the replacement of the capacitors. I've seen the result of ignoring it! https://www.musonic.co.uk/index.php?...ex&cPath=1_126

3rd Apr 2018, 2:54 pm	#6
splintercat Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Northampton, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 5	Re: Pye Black Box Wow.thanks for the welcome and all the information. The seller of my B/B informs me that he did a service on this two years ago and did indeed change a valve in order to get it working. apart from the spindle it does seem okay. The capacitor dilemma scares me a little not because of my fear of electrics/electronics nor of my soldering skills but just because this is my first project and I don't wont to botch things. Am going down the get a new stylus/new spindle arms first then after securing the relevant manuals think I will try to strip it down SLOWLY in order to attempt a gentle/sympathetic service. Will try to stay in touch.

3rd Apr 2018, 8:11 pm	#7
splintercat Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Northampton, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 5	black box restoration Am sure that with the little that i have already learnt/gained on this forum that someone somewhere has written/recorded a guide to a restoration/service for the above, if so I would be really interested in reading it for guidance... Rather than go in head first as I usually do

3rd Apr 2018, 8:31 pm	#8
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Pye Black Box I'm not aware of a restoration guide as such, but using the search button at the top of the page will find many threads about this player. If you can take a good photograph of the underside of the amplifier chassis it will greatly assist any advice.

3rd Apr 2018, 9:24 pm	#9
Half a Mullard Hexode Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 354	Re: Pye Black Box There are various versions of the Black Box as others have mentioned. My own version also has the Autoslim deck and uses a pair of PCL83 output valves. Earlier versions used EL42 output valves, if you could post a picture it would help. Without wanting to pre-empt an identification, this is part of the under chassis of the version I have. I should stress that this is pre restoration. You mentioned that the seller had stated that the player had been serviced. This may or may not have included the amplifier and it’s very important that certain components are replaced to avoid expensive damage. As Bill has said some good photographs would be a big help. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Howard

3rd Apr 2018, 10:39 pm	#10
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Pye Black Box I have a spare Garrard Autochange spindle, which, AFAIK, came from an Autoslim deck. If 'splintercat' would like it, he can have it for the cost of postage. PM me your address details, Splintercat, and I'll post it on to you.